Orthopedic treatment has as its goal the improvement of JAW GROWTH.  Orthodontics (Full Braces), on the other hand, primarily is tooth movement.  Ideal treatment today is for younger patients with poor facial growth patterns to have that condition treated before the orthodontics begin.  Non-growing kids and adults with these problems usually require surgical correction.

Almost 30% of the population has inherited some form of irregular jaw growth, the majority of which is a lower jaw that is smaller than the upper.  Regular orthodontic treatment in years past, while producing a very satisfactory tooth relationship and bite, sometimes yielded an unsatisfactory facial appearance.  Patients with this deficient lower jaw were previously treated by removing two upper teeth and moving the upper front teeth back to match the deficient lower.  The resulting profile then sometimes had a "flat" unsatisfactory appearance. This change could also make the nose appear longer.  These cases are now improved significantly with orthopedics to accelerate the growth of the short lower jaw.

One of the simplest orthopedic treatments is to widen a narrow upper jaw.  This condition usually results from poor tongue posture that is common in allergic or mouth breathing patients.  Other common orthopedic treatments involve slowing excessive downward growth of the upper jaw of advancing of a deficient upper jaw.

Treatment times for orthopedics may vary greatly depending on the severity of the problem.  The simple jaw widening procedures may take as little as 6 months, while other procedures may require 12-24 months to complete.

Facial orthopedic treatment is one of the most modern, up to date treatment techniques available today for those patients with these conditions.  It is far more conservative than waiting for the growth to stop and then having surgical correction.  Although it takes a bit longer and yes, costs a little more, the tremendous improvement in the smile, facial form and appearance have been shown time and time again to be worth the effort.

In summary, facial orthopedics involves straightening the jaws first, and may use a few braces to improve the results.  After the jaws are straight then the orthodontics (full braces) can begin to align the teeth.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions about orthopedic treatment.